Today's News

Note: Stacy Kenny Ludy, mother of Alyssa Kenny, wrote this impact statement to read in court at Richard Nofsinger Jr.’s plea hearing on Wednesday. Ludy shared her statement with The Gazette. Warning: the following contains graphic descriptions that some readers might find disturbing.

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I have waited a long time to talk to you, Richard.

I’m sure you don’t want to listen to me, but that’s okay. You will hear what I have to say, and I don’t even need you to respond. Just listen. And think about it.

INDEPENDENCE — School and county officials gathered at Fairview Elementary School this month, to celebrate the expansion of their playground and the inclusion of recreational equipment designed for students with special needs.

The new play area will give students with and without special needs more of an opportunity to enjoy the playground together. The expansion, unveiled on Oct. 11, included a special swing that can accommodate a wheel chair; and sensory play panels.

HILLSVILLE ― A New York woman has pleaded guilty to three charges related to a police chase in March that ended when she crashed into the home of the Hillsville police chief’s parents.

Anedra Yolanda Pace, 22, of Kenmore, N.Y., reportedly fled from police at a traffic stop on March 22 and lead officers on a chase into Hillsville. Pace’s BMW crashed into an outbuilding before hitting a neighboring house belonging to Don and Glenda Yonce ― Police Chief Wesley Yonce’s parents.

A single-vehicle accident at 6:50 a.m. on Oct. 19 at the intersection of Cranberry Road and Nutmeg Lane left a driver with minor injuries, according to a report filed by Virginia State Trooper J.R. Alderman.

A 2000 Pontiac Firebird driven by Timothy M. Albert, 22, of Galax, was traveling north on Cranberry when it ran off the road to the right, came back onto the road, ran off the road to the right again, struck a fire hydrant and overturned, ending up on Nutmeg Lane.